Gary Glitter pleads not guilty to historical sex offence charges

Paul Gadd, Known as Gary Glitter, Denies Eight Historical Sexual Offence Counts at Southwark Crown Court

Constantvpn.com – The former pop star who dominated British charts throughout the 1970s under the name Gary Glitter has formally rejected eight counts of historical sexual abuse relating to a young girl. Paul Gadd, now 82, appeared by video-link from a prison facility to enter his pleas at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday, telling the court he was innocent of every allegation laid against him.

The charges centre on a single female victim who, according to prosecutors, was between the ages of eight and eleven when the offences allegedly occurred. Prosecutors say Gadd lured the child to his residence in the affluent Kensington and Chelsea borough of west London by offering her chocolate, then subjected her to repeated acts of sexual abuse over a span of nearly four years.

The Plea and Courtroom Details

Gadd was dressed in blue headwear, a blue shirt, and a navy jacket during the remote appearance. A member of his legal team sat beside him throughout the video call. He first addressed the court to confirm his identity before turning to the eight counts themselves.

With his arms crossed, the former entertainer spoke through each charge. For two of the eight counts he declared himself

“absolutely not guilty”

and repeated the phrase “not guilty” for the remaining six. No variation in tone or elaboration accompanied the responses; each denial was delivered in turn as the court recorded the pleas.

What the Prosecution Alleges

The eight counts break down as follows: four charges of indecent assault on a girl under the age of 13, two counts of sexual intercourse with a girl under the age of 13, and two counts of indecency involving a child under 13. Prosecutors allege that Gadd caused the girl to touch his genitals and that he “engaged in unlawful sexual intercourse” with her during visits to his home. All offences are said to have taken place between 12 March 1978 and 31 December 1981, a period when the victim was a pre-adopter living in the same London area.

Historical sex offence cases of this kind have become increasingly common in English courts as victims come forward decades after events occurred. The Metropolitan Police has dedicated specialist units to investigate such complaints, and the passage of time does not bar prosecution where the offences carry no statutory limitation period. In this instance, the gap between the alleged conduct and the formal complaint spans more than forty-five years.

Investigation Timeline

The Metropolitan Police first received the complaint on 9 January 2025 and opened a formal investigation into the circumstances shortly thereafter. Gadd was brought in for his first interview on 22 July of last year, a standard procedural step in which officers put questions to a suspect before deciding whether to charge. By July, the Met confirmed that the alleged victim was receiving support from specialist officers and had been informed that formal charges had been laid against Gadd.

The decision to prosecute after such a long interval underscores the growing institutional commitment to holding perpetrators accountable regardless of how many years have elapsed since the alleged abuse took place.

Career Context

At the height of his fame in the mid-1970s, Gary Glitter was among the most recognisable faces in British popular music. His string of number-one singles, including “Rock and Roll Parts 1 and 2” and “Is It Cozy?”, made him a household name and a fixture of television variety shows across the country. The glamour and public adulation of that era now sit in stark contrast with the intimate domestic setting prosecutors describe as the backdrop to the alleged offences.

His career effectively wound down in the early 1980s, and he has lived largely out of the public spotlight since. The current proceedings mark one of the most prominent recent examples of a former chart-topper facing criminal charges connected to conduct from his peak years.

What Comes Next

Judge Tony Baumgartner adjourned the matter following the plea hearing. A full trial is scheduled to begin on 22 November 2027 and is expected to last approximately three weeks. The lengthy interval between the plea and the trial date is typical of complex historical cases, during which both prosecution and defence prepare witness statements, compile documentary evidence, and finalise jury directions.

Gadd will remain in custody or under conditions set by the court pending that date. The outcome of the trial will determine whether the eight counts result in conviction, acquittal, or a combination of both, and will shape any subsequent sentencing considerations should the jury return guilty verdicts on any of the charges.